At the start of the 1st century A.D., Seneca, a prominent Roman tragic writer and philosopher, returned from exile and was called to the castle of the Roman emperor by Julia Agrippina, the wife of the aging emperor Claudius. Seneca was tasked with tutoring Agrippina’s son, Nero.
Nero, a self-centered twenty-year-old, craves the excitement of gladiator battles and resents his step-father Claudius for belittling him. He depends on his mother’s constant attention and belief in his future as Rome’s ruler. Despite his naivety and foolishness, Nero hopes that dressing as a king will earn him the respect and fear he desires. His tutor, a writer who embraces stoicism, a philosophy of moderation and acceptance of fate, leads a contradictory life as an epicure and lover of earthly pleasures. These opposing influences shape Nero’s empty mind, filled with selfishness and pride. Initially uninterested in learning, Nero is solely focused on his appearance and royal status. However, as his teacher recounts tales of bloody tragedies, Nero becomes intrigued against his own will, developing a taste for such stories.Nero becomes enraged by the tales of people taking away the precious gift of life from others, which ignites his ferocity. Unable to contain his excitement, he confides in his best friend, Hadrian, who shares his passion and love for competition. Hadrian, being the son of a wealthy man, spends his time gambling and using women for entertainment. He is notorious for his cunning gossiping and mischievous nature, always finding ways to achieve his desires. Nero suspects Hadrian of sleeping with his mother due to their frequent meetings for “play”. To avoid baseless accusations, Hadrian suggests a small competition between them to determine who is the best “life taker” in all of Rome. The winner of this contest would be granted the title. They decide to go out at night wearing disguises and surprise someone, stabbing them to death. Initially skeptical, Nero becomes captivated by the idea and starts thinking about what name he will adopt upon victory. The game commences with Nero exhibiting contentment, while Hadrian adds an extra element to the competition by requiring a little golden star for each life taken.
The backstory revolves around Nero’s desperate attempts to seduce Precia, the advisor of the emperor’s daughter. Nero is deeply in love with her, but Precia is in love with someone else whom she keeps secret out of fear for his safety. Precia’s confidant and slave, Sera, knows all about her love affair and shares this information with Hadrian, who also entertains Sera and treats her like a proper lady in return. Sera secretly loves Hadrian, but she cannot reveal her feelings as she believes it would make no difference. Instead, she expresses her love by always doing what he asks of her, such as gathering information on people. In this whole situation, Nero is the unfortunate one. He cannot blame or harm Precia for her indifference towards him. However, like a child deprived of a beloved toy, he finds solace in destruction and taking away lives. As the days pass, Nero becomes more engrossed in his gruesome adventures while Hadrian observes the monster he has created out of Nero.
The increasing number of killings raises concerns about people’s security. They report the situation to the emperor, who offers a substantial reward for the murderer’s capture. Nero informs Hadrian that he is withdrawing from the competition. Hadrian convinces him that this is the perfect opportunity to prove himself a hero by continuing the killings for a few more days, and then pretending to have discovered the identity of the killer and chased them out of Rome. This would make him beloved by everyone, particularly Precia, whose heart he hopes to win. Nero leaves with renewed hope for a significant change in his life. However, Hadrian summons Sera, speaking to her sweetly, and instructs her to follow Nero and gather information about his late-night activities. Sera kisses Hadrian before cautiously checking her surroundings and obediently carries out his orders.
In a hidden corner, Nero discreetly trails a man who fades into the darkness of a building. With precision, he unsheathes his knife and pursues him, while Sera, startled yet intrigued, suppresses her screams. She cautiously draws near and observes the unfolding event from the shroud of the night. After completing his task, Nero scans his surroundings before swiftly departing. Sera’s shocking realization occurs as she identifies the lifeless victim as Antony, Precia’s lover. Determined to notify Hadrian of this tragedy before alerting Precia, she hastens to him. Hadrian reveals that he had harbored suspicions about Nero for some time but lacked concrete proof.
The next day, Claudius is suspected of being poisoned by his wife, and it is announced that he died of natural causes. Nero is declared the new emperor, and a ceremony is scheduled for the following day to crown him. After the ceremony, Nero goes to the top room on the third floor of the castle to meet Precia, who usually stays there. He worries that she didn’t attend the ceremony because she wasn’t feeling well. Nero also reflects on his new status as emperor and believes he deserves admiration and love.
However, on his way up to Precia’s room, Nero remembers that his mother had retreated to her room just before the ceremony ended. Concerned, he decides to check on her first and goes down to her room on the second floor. To his surprise, Nero finds Julia toasting with Hadrian in celebration of their easy victory. Nero realizes that his mother had always wanted to control Rome through him, treating him like a loyal pet. Overwhelmed by his insecurities, all Nero can think about is seeking comfort in Precia’s arms.
As Nero continues his journey upstairs, he hears a commotion outside the castle through a small window. Curious, he stops and leans out to see what is happening. He witnesses people in the crowd cursing and throwing rocks at him. Amidst the chaos, a man walking through the crowd catches Nero’s eye – it is Hadrian, who had just left the castle. Hadrian jumps over a chariot and manages to calm the angry mob.He gazes at Nero, and then, following a moment of silence, he angrily points at him, declaring him to be the killer, which ignites the crowd’s fury against Nero. He directs them to demand his execution, grinning before disappearing once more into the midst of the crowd. Nero rushes to Precia. Upon entering the room, he discovers her standing there, patiently awaiting him, her eyes filled with sorrow and innocence. She plunges a knife into her own heart. Nero crumbles emotionally. He picks up the same knife and plunges it into himself. Bleeding profusely, he crawls towards the door before rolling down the grand staircase until his body collides with his mother’s foot. She smiles at him and then assists him in continuing his descent with a gentle kick.
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